Science & Tech Television: New Dimension In Innovation For Industrialissation

The Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) has initiated another effort to boost the industrialisation and skill acquisition drive of Nigeria.
To this end the federal government recently commissioned a landmark Nigerian Science Technology and Innovation Television (NSTI tv) to ensure effective dissemination of information on scientific and technological innovations in the country and around the world.
This television station according to the federal government will be a multilingual science channel in English, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa and will be accessed on any device that has an internet connection.
Minister of science technology and innovation (STI) Adeleke Mamora, who unveiled the television station in Abuja while giving his address, noted that “the station would serve as a veritable platform to inform, educate and entertain as well as publicise scientific discoveries, inventions, and achievements of the various parastatal under the ministry and exchange of ideas, knowledge and skill for the benefit of the common man.”
He added that the NSTI tv will focus on Nigeria’s contribution to the STI by publishing the latest outputs and products from all research institutions and the latest STI developments from all over the world.
“As part our plans to ease of access to information, we have developed an indelible and robust television  that is terrestrial, satellite and internet-based over- the top-(OTT) TV channel dedicated to science and technology and knowledge  dissemination with a strong commitment to spreading scientific awareness especially with Nigerian perspective, ethos and cultural milieu,” the minister said.
He explained that it has become imperative to invest in STI to promote development and sustainable growth, adding that with the establishment of the STI TV the government has taken a step in the right direction towards achieving accelerated development.
The TV according to Mamora will cover the entire landscape of STI, including engineering, health and medicine, environmental and wildlife, children’s curiosity science, agriculture innovations, scientific heritage, science policy using interactive and latest formats like documentaries, discussions among others.
The platform will create an opportunity as scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs and innovators will showcase their work and connect with other stakeholders in the STI ecosystem.
To this end, he commended Mr. President for recognising STI as indispensable in the area of providing an enabling environment for diversification of the economy by improving the budgetary allocations to the Ministry.
Also speaking, the minister of state for STI, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, noted that the television station is the first of its kind in Nigeria which is aimed at boosting STI broadcasting. He pointed out that the STI remained the main driving force of growth and development in any nation in all sectors of the economy.
He added that with the establishment of the television station, adequate and reliable information on the socio-economic development and growth of Nigeria through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) will be aired.
“In order to achieve this goal, we need the support and collaboration of all stakeholders in the STI ecosystem, including the private sector, academia, civil society, and international partners. We urge you all to join us in this endeavour and work together towards achieving our shared vision of a Nigeria that is technologically advanced,” Ikoh said.
Ikoh said further that the NSTI-tv  was introduced as part of implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No.5 to assist in establishing STI as part of everyday life of Nigerian towards achieving the National Developmental goals across all sectors of the economy.
He implored Nigerians to watch the programmes and activities aired on the station so as to remain acquainted with advances and development in the STI sector.
In his good will message, the former chairman senate committee on science and technology, Senator Boroffice Robert Ajayi, commended the Ministry for its unrelenting efforts in making sure that the NSTI-tv is a reality.
In her remarks, the permanent secretary, Mrs Monilola Udoh, said the commissioning ceremony is the testimony that the ministry has created a great platform of communicating her efforts and achievements to Nigerians and the world which will enhance the desired patronage of the laudable indigenous products.
However, for Nigeria to join the rest of the world to achieve milestones in STI, the country must like other developed countries invest massively in STI especially in the research and development components.